Key Dates

Question 1

5th May 1789

Answer 1

Opening of the Estates-General on advision of Necker

Question 2

17th June 1789

Answer 2

National Assembly formed by 3rd Estate members, vow not to leave until a new constitution is made

Question 3

9th July 1789

Answer 3

National Assembly declares itself Constituent Assembly

Question 4

12th July 1789

Answer 4

Necker is dismissed. Very unpopular decision with the people and 50,000 citizens form the National Guard

Question 5

14th July 1789

Answer 5

Storming of the Bastille (Prison that symbolised State Rule).

Question 6

17th July 1789

Answer 6

Beginning of the Great Fear. A period of panic and riot among peasants after the fear of a conspiracy by the King to overthrow the 3rd Estate, provoked by the gathering of soldiers in Paris. Peasants overthrew their landlords & burnt Feudal Documents. To appease the 3rd Estate the National Constituent Assembly abolished Feudalism (Peasants lived on the landlord’s land in exchange for labour and homage) and introduced the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizen (‘All men are born free’)

Question 7

26th August 1789

Answer 7

National Assembly decrees Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

Question 8

5th October 1789

Answer 8

October Days. A mob of women rioting over the scarcity of bread, march to the Palace of Versailles. Guards were killed and Louis XVI reluctantly returned with the women back to Paris the next day.

Question 9

21st June 1791

Answer 9

Flight to Varennes. Louis attempts to flee France but is recognised at the border and sent back to Paris

Question 10

17th July 1791

Answer 10

Champ de Mars Massacre. Brissot has created a petition for the removal of the King, 50,000 had gathered at the Champ de Mars as a result. The rioters were dispersed but arrived again, led by Danton. The National Guard opened fire on the protesters, leaving up to 50 dead.

Question 11

27th August 1791

Answer 11

Declaration of Pillnitz. Stated the support of Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire for Louis XVI against the revolution.

Question 12

1st October 1791

Answer 12

Commence of the Legislative Assembly.

Question 13

10th August 1792

Answer 13

Insurrection of 10th August 1792. Louis had been vetoeing radical measures implemented by the Assembly, such as the requirement for the return of the emigres. Tensions rose and the National Guard stormed the Tulieres Palace, where Louis was under the protection of the Swiss Guard. 6 weeks later the monarchy was abolished.

Question 14

2nd September 1792

Answer 14

September Massacres. Danton instigates the massacre of 1,200 Royalist prisoners.

Question 15

21st September 1792

Answer 15

The Convention, elected by the Legislative Assembly, commences. The monarchy is abolished and France is made a Republic.

Question 16

21st January 1793

Answer 16

Execution of Louis XVI

Question 17

17th September 1793

Answer 17

The Terror starts after the Law of Suspects is announced.

A law that orders all suspected enemies of the revolution to be executed.

Question 18

24th March 1794

Answer 18

Robespierre and the CPS execute all leaders of the Dantonists and Herbertists, essentially becomes Dictator

Question 19

27th July 1794

Answer 19

Robespierre is executed by the Convention and the Terror is over

Question 20

22nd August 1795

Answer 20

Directory established to rule France. Group of 5 men who were elected by the Council of Ancients and Council of 500. Each year one member would be replaced. The Directory annulled election results that didn’t fall in their favour and France were failing in the war. Eventually overthrown in the Coup of Brumaire by Napoleon

Question 21

9th November 1799

Answer 21

Coup of Brumaire. The 2 Councils were told they were under threat from a Jacobin coup and sent the Chateau de Saint-Cloud. Napoleon’s men pressured the 5 members of the directory to resign. Napoleon is named First Consul